Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun Award Ceremony

The Asahi Shimbun

Former Tokyo Metropolitan governor and author Shintaro Ishihara has his collar adjusted during the photo session of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun Award Ceremony at the Imperial Palace on May 8, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan.

Former Tokyo Metropolitan governor and author Shintaro Ishihara has his collar adjusted during the photo session of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun Award Ceremony at the Imperial Palace on May 8, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan.

Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun Award Ceremony

The Asahi Shimbun

Former Tokyo Metropolitan governor and author Shintaro Ishihara is seen upon arrival to attend the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun Award Ceremony at the Imperial Palace on May 8, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan.

Former Tokyo Metropolitan governor and author Shintaro Ishihara is seen upon arrival to attend the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun Award Ceremony at the Imperial Palace on May 8, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan.

Veteran Lawmaker Ishihara Announce Retirement From Politics

The Asahi Shimbun

Supreme advisor of the Party for Future Generations Shintaro Ishihara speaks during a press conference on his retirement from politics at Japan National Press Club on December 16, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan.

Supreme advisor of the Party for Future Generations Shintaro Ishihara speaks during a press conference on his retirement from politics at Japan National Press Club on December 16, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan.

Veteran Lawmaker Ishihara Announce Retirement From Politics

The Asahi Shimbun

Supreme advisor of the Party for Future Generations Shintaro Ishihara speaks during a press conference on his retirement from politics at Japan National Press Club on December 16, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan.

Supreme advisor of the Party for Future Generations Shintaro Ishihara speaks during a press conference on his retirement from politics at Japan National Press Club on December 16, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan.

Hashimoto And Ishihara To Split Japan Restoration Party

The Asahi Shimbun

Co-leader of the Japan Restoration Party Shintaro Ishihara speaks during a press conference in the diet building on May 29, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. Co-leaders Toru Hashimoto and Shintaro Ishihara agreed to split the Japan Restoration Party after failing to agree on a merger with another opposition party. The decision, reached following a meeting between Hashimoto and Ishihara in Nagoya, will end the often fractious partnership between the two outspoken, conservative politicians that started just 18 months ago.

Co-leader of the Japan Restoration Party Shintaro Ishihara speaks during a press conference in the diet building on May 29, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. Co-leaders Toru Hashimoto and Shintaro Ishihara agreed to split the Japan Restoration Party after failing to agree on a merger with another opposition party. The decision, reached following a meeting between Hashimoto and Ishihara in Nagoya, will end the often fractious partnership between the two outspoken, conservative politicians that started just 18 months ago.

Japan Marks 68th Anniversary Of WWII Surrender

Ken Ishii

Former Governor of Tokyo Shintaro Ishihara visits the Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, 2013 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan marks the 68th anniversary of the end of World War II in Asia today, following their surrender between 14 and 15 August, 1945 . The Yasukuni Shrine honors Japan's war dead during the period from 1867 to the end of the Second World War.

Former Governor of Tokyo Shintaro Ishihara visits the Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, 2013 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan marks the 68th anniversary of the end of World War II in Asia today, following their surrender between 14 and 15 August, 1945 . The Yasukuni Shrine honors Japan's war dead during the period from 1867 to the end of the Second World War.

Newly elected lower house lawmaker Shintaro Ishihara of the Japan Restoration Party let the lawmaker's budge attached at the diet building on December 26, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. Liberal Democratic Party president Shinzo Abe becomes Japan's 96th prime minister, seventh in six years.

Newly elected lower house lawmaker Shintaro Ishihara of the Japan Restoration Party let the lawmaker's budge attached at the diet building on December 26, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. Liberal Democratic Party president Shinzo Abe becomes Japan's 96th prime minister, seventh in six years.

Japanese Vote In General Election

The Asahi Shimbun

Japan Restoration Party president Shintaro Ishihara smiles at the party election center on December 16, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan Restoration Party won 54 seats. The Liberal Democratic Party and coalition New Komeito gained 325 seats at the lower house and return to power while ruling Democratic Party of Japan made the historical defeat, dropped to 57 seat.

Japan Restoration Party president Shintaro Ishihara smiles at the party election center on December 16, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan Restoration Party won 54 seats. The Liberal Democratic Party and coalition New Komeito gained 325 seats at the lower house and return to power while ruling Democratic Party of Japan made the historical defeat, dropped to 57 seat.

Japanese Vote In General Election

The Asahi Shimbun

Japan Restoration Party president Shintaro Ishihara (L) and Takeo Hiranuma smile at the party election center on December 16, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan Restoration Party won 54 seats. The Liberal Democratic Party and coalition New Komeito gained 325 seats at the lower house and return to power while ruling Democratic Party of Japan made the historical defeat, dropped to 57 seat.

Japan Restoration Party president Shintaro Ishihara (L) and Takeo Hiranuma smile at the party election center on December 16, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan Restoration Party won 54 seats. The Liberal Democratic Party and coalition New Komeito gained 325 seats at the lower house and return to power while ruling Democratic Party of Japan made the historical defeat, dropped to 57 seat.

Japanese Vote In General Election

The Asahi Shimbun

Japan Restoration Party president Shintaro Ishihara celebrates after a paper rose being attached to his name as he secured the seat by winning in the Tokyo population-presentation constituency at the party election center on December 16, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan Restoration Party won 54 seats. The Liberal Democratic Party and coalition New Komeito gained 325 seats at the lower house and return to power while ruling Democratic Party of Japan made the historical defeat, dropped to 57 seat.

Japan Restoration Party president Shintaro Ishihara celebrates after a paper rose being attached to his name as he secured the seat by winning in the Tokyo population-presentation constituency at the party election center on December 16, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan Restoration Party won 54 seats. The Liberal Democratic Party and coalition New Komeito gained 325 seats at the lower house and return to power while ruling Democratic Party of Japan made the historical defeat, dropped to 57 seat.

Japanese Vote In General Election

The Asahi Shimbun

Japan Restoration Party president Shintaro Ishihara smiles at the party election center on December 16, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan Restoration Party won 54 seats. The Liberal Democratic Party and coalition New Komeito gained 325 seats at the lower house and return to power while ruling Democratic Party of Japan made the historical defeat, dropped to 57 seat.

Japan Restoration Party president Shintaro Ishihara smiles at the party election center on December 16, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan Restoration Party won 54 seats. The Liberal Democratic Party and coalition New Komeito gained 325 seats at the lower house and return to power while ruling Democratic Party of Japan made the historical defeat, dropped to 57 seat.